Arts community rallies to call for increased support for Quebec culture [Video]

Do you have to be poor to be an artist?

With a united voice, 17 organizations working in the cultural sector are saying “no.”

The organizations, united under the umbrella of the Front commun pour les arts (Common Front for the Arts) dedicated to the long-term survival of Quebec culture, are calling on the Legault government to stop cutting the budgets allocated to various cultural activities.

Under the slogan “Our culture deserves better than to be cut,” the groups are launching a public campaign calling for increased investment in the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).

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They are criticizing the cuts imposed on CALQ, pointing out that its budget has been shrinking steadily in recent years.

The budget was cut from $185 million in 2022-2023 to $172 million in 2023-2024, and is set to be further reduced to $160 million in 2024-2025.

The 17 organizations bring together …